Method and device for discontinuous movement of an object, resting on the sea bottom

摘要

The method involves using a sea towing vessel (3), on the water surface, which moves ahead continuously but tows equipment (1) on the sea bed discontinuously. This allows the equipment to dwell at successive predetermined sites to carry out certain functions. A vehicle (2), on the sea bed, is connected to the tug vessel and to the equipment by a winch (8). Lines (10,11) fixed to the equipment are unwound by the motorised winch, controlled to either tow the equipment or to cancel out tug forward traction at dwell positions. One underwater cable (10) may tow the equipment, another connecting line (11) maintained away from the sea bed. Similarly, the main tug towing cable (5) may have another, longer, connecting line (6) raised by floats (7).